TL;DR: Leroy Ninker Saddles Up is the gold-standard "bridge" book. If your kid is graduating from Mercy Watson or finding Magic Tree House a bit dry, this is the quirky, vocabulary-rich, high-humor win you need. It’s perfect for ages 6-9.
Check out our full list of early chapter book recommendations
We’ve all been there at school pickup: one parent is bragging that their second grader is already halfway through Harry Potter, while you’re just trying to get your kid to stop watching Skibidi Toilet memes and pick up a book that has more than three words per page.
The "bridge" between picture books and "real" novels is a notorious danger zone for young readers. This is where the "reading for pleasure" spark either catches fire or gets extinguished by boring school readers. If the book is too hard, they quit. If it’s too "babyish," they’re bored.
Enter Leroy Ninker.
Leroy Ninker Saddles Up is the first installment in Kate DiCamillo’s Tales from Deckawoo Drive series. It’s a spin-off from the beloved Mercy Watson series, but it levels up the complexity just enough to make a kid feel like a "big reader" without causing a meltdown.
Leroy Ninker is a small man with a big dream: he wants to be a cowboy. The problem? He doesn't have a horse. He works at the drive-in movie theater (a concept you might have to explain to your kids, or just let them think it’s a weird "Ohio" thing), and he spends his time dreaming of the open range.
When he finally gets a horse named Maybelline, the "cowboy" dream hits some very funny, very human speed bumps. Maybelline is an old horse with some very specific needs—namely, she needs constant praise and she’s terrified of the wind.
It’s a story about companionship, perseverance, and the realization that the things we want don't always look the way we imagined they would.
If your household is currently rotating between Roblox and MrBeast, your kid’s brain is likely used to high-octane, fast-paced input. Books can feel "slow" by comparison.
But Kate DiCamillo is a master of character. Leroy isn't a generic protagonist; he’s weird. He has "yippee-ti-yi-yo" aspirations but a very polite, almost formal way of speaking. Kids find the absurdity of a tiny man trying to be a rugged cowboy hilarious.
The illustrations by Chris Van Dusen are also a huge draw. They have a cinematic, 1950s-Americana vibe that keeps the pages turning. For a kid who still relies on visual cues (which is totally normal for this age!), the art provides a safety net.
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This book is part of a larger ecosystem. If your kid likes this one, you’ve just unlocked a goldmine of content that isn't brain rot.
Before Leroy got his own book, he was a side character in the Mercy Watson books. Those are even simpler—perfect for Kindergarten or 1st grade. They’re about a "butter-toasted" obsessed pig. If your kid hasn't read these, start there, then "graduate" them to Leroy.
After Leroy, the series continues with other characters from the neighborhood.
- Francine Poulet Meets the Ghost Raccoon: About a legendary animal control officer who loses her nerve.
- Where Are You Going, Baby Lincoln?: A sweet story about an elderly woman finding her independence.
We generally recommend Leroy Ninker Saddles Up for ages 6 to 9.
- For the 6-year-old: This is likely a "read-aloud" book. The vocabulary is surprisingly sophisticated (words like "melancholy" and "precarious" pop up), which is great for their brain development.
- For the 7-8 year old: This is the "sweet spot" for independent reading. The chapters are short, the font is large, and the sense of accomplishment they get from finishing a 100-page book is a massive confidence booster.
- For the 9-year-old: If they are a struggling reader or just need a "palate cleanser" between more intense school assignments, this is a low-stress, high-reward pick.
Not all early chapter books are created equal. Here’s the No-BS breakdown of how Leroy stacks up:
- Vs. Dog Man: Look, kids love Dog Man. It’s the "junk food" of reading. It’s fine, but Leroy Ninker actually builds narrative stamina and vocabulary. Use Leroy to balance out the graphic novel obsession.
- Vs. The Bad Guys: Similar to Dog Man, The Bad Guys is very visual. Leroy is a "step up" into more text-heavy storytelling while keeping the humor.
- Vs. Dragon Masters: Dragon Masters is great for plot-driven kids who love fantasy. Leroy is better for kids who appreciate "quirky" humor and character-driven stories.
- Vs. The Princess in Black: These are on a similar reading level. If they liked the secret-identity humor of The Princess in Black, they will likely enjoy the "pretend cowboy" humor of Leroy.
In a world of TikTok and 30-second clips, Leroy Ninker Saddles Up is "slow media." It requires the brain to settle in, visualize the scenes, and follow a linear plot that doesn't involve a jump-scare or a "like and subscribe" plea.
If you’re trying to implement a "digital sunset" or just want to reduce the Roblox brain-drain, this book is a fantastic tool. It’s funny enough to compete with a screen, but gentle enough to be a bedtime read.
A note on the vocabulary: Kate DiCamillo doesn't talk down to kids. She uses "big words." Don't be surprised if your kid asks what a "predicament" is. This is a feature, not a bug. It’s how they grow.
Check out our guide on how to transition kids from graphic novels to chapter books
Leroy Ninker Saddles Up is a winner. It’s wholesome without being cheesy, funny without being crude, and challenging without being discouraging.
If you have a kid who is starting to think books are "boring" compared to YouTube, hand them this. It’s got a horse that likes toast, a cowboy who’s afraid of the dark, and enough heart to remind them why we read in the first place.
- Start with the Prequels: If your kid isn't quite ready for a 100-page book, grab Mercy Watson to the Rescue.
- Audiobook it: If you have a long car ride, the audiobook version of Leroy Ninker Saddles Up is excellent.
- The "Cowboy" Connection: If they love the cowboy theme, you might eventually want to check out The Wild Robot for a more advanced take on "survival and friendship" (though it's definitely a higher reading level!).
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